Copernical Team
Is Brunt on the brink?
In early 2019, all eyes were fixed on the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, where a massive iceberg, around the size of Greater London, appeared poised to break off. Almost two years later, the berg is desperately clinging on, although current data indicate calving is imminent. A new crack, spotted in images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel missions, now suggests the potential for calving of multiple bergs.
Research highlights ways to protect astronaut cardiovascular health from space radiation
Space: the final frontier. What's stopping us from exploring it? Well, lots of things, but one of the major issues is space radiation, and the effects it can have on astronaut health during long voyages. A new review in the open-access journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine explores what we know about the ways that space radiation can negatively affect cardiovascular health, and discusses methods to protect astronauts. These include radioprotective drugs, and antioxidant treatments, some of which are more common than you might think.
Space is incredibly inhospitable. Outside of low earth orbit, astronauts are bombarded with radiation, including galactic cosmic rays, and 'proton storms' released by the sun. This radiation is harmful for the human body, damaging proteins and DNA, and is one of the major reasons that we haven't yet been able to send anyone to Mars, or beyond.
These issues inspired Dr. Jesper Hjortnaes of the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands to investigate what we know about the harmful effects of space radiation. "If we want to see human long distance space travel, we need to understand the impact of space-induced disease and how to protect our bodies from it," said Hjortnaes.
ACTIVATE begins second year of Marine Cloud Study
A NASA airborne study has returned to the field for a second year of science flights to advance the accuracy of short- and long-term climate models. The Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) began the third of six planned flight campaigns - two campaigns each year beginning in 2020 and ending in 2022 - in late January at NASA's Langley Research Ce NASA grants renewal and funding for deep space health protections
After a favorable program review in December 2020, NASA has exercised its option to renew the Houston-based Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) until 2028. TRISH works closely with NASA's Human Research Program in advancing innovations in biomedical research to protect astronauts on deep space missions.
The Institute will receive additional funding up to $134.6 millio AFRL Officers transfer to US Space Force in historic ceremony
Joining more than 2,400 Airmen across the nation, 13 Air Force Research Laboratory officers took the oath of office Feb. 1, transferring from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force, in an induction ceremony held at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Col. Eric Felt, director of the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, presided over the ceremony. Distinguished guests, Maj. Gen. William "Neil" McCaslan A new way to look for life-sustaining planets
It is now possible to capture images of planets that could potentially sustain life around nearby stars, thanks to advances reported by an international team of astronomers in the journal Nature Communications.
Using a newly developed system for mid-infrared exoplanet imaging, in combination with a very long observation time, the study's authors say they can now use ground-based telescopes Fabricating fully functional drones
From Star Trek's replicators to Richie Rich's wishing machine, popular culture has a long history of parading flashy machines that can instantly output any item to a user's delight.
While 3D printers have now made it possible to produce a range of objects that include product models, jewelry, and novelty toys, we still lack the ability to fabricate more complex devices that are essentially Elon Musk Hints at When People Could Invest in Starlink Shares
In December, SpaceX won $885.5 million from the US Federal Communications Commission to support the company's Starlink satellite network.
Multibillionaire SpaceX CEO Elon Musk told Twitter users on Tuesday when Starlink, a worldwide broadband network created by a constellation of satellites, could launch an initial public offering.
The tech mogul said that it will launch an IPO when One small step towards spaceflight in the UK as government publishes environmental guidance
The first-ever launch into space from British soil is now one step closer, with the government today (10 February 2021) publishing its environmental guidance for the spaceflight regulator.
A newly established consultation will also set out how the regulator, which will oversee all launch and space activity from the UK, should meet environmental objectives - helping ensure space travel fits Early crewed travel to Mars
There is no doubt that humans are going to Mars. It is simply a question of how and when. However, there are many fundamental concerns that must be dealt with. Some of these address crew safety, radiation exposure, long travel times, life support on Mars and return options. We already know that low energy methods of transfer can take eight months each way and minimum Mars surface time between re 
